Florida waterfront restaurant recognized in Southern Living as oldest
Feb. 12, 2026, 2:27 p.m. ET
- Southern Living magazine recently highlighted the Old Key Lime House in Lantana, Florida.
- The publication recognized it as the oldest waterfront restaurant in the state.
- The restaurant is known for its live music, waterfront views, and legendary key lime pie.
The oldest waterfront restaurant in Florida just received national attention.
Popular lifestyle publication Southern Living highlighted South Florida’s Old Key Lime House, calling it a living piece of history.
“Located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Lantana, Florida, Old Key Lime House has been welcoming boaters, locals, revelers, and landlubbers for more than a century; its staying power has earned it recognition as the oldest waterfront restaurant in a state that’s full of them,” Southern Living writes.
Where is Old Key Lime House located in Florida?
The historic Old Key Lime House is located at 300 E Ocean Avenue in Lantana.
How old is the Old Key Lime House?
The Old Key Lime House was built in 1889 as a family home for the pioneering Lyman family, “who sold fish and oysters decades before Lantana was incorporated as a town,” according to a Coastal Star story.
Over the years, it has changed hands and, after becoming a restaurant in 1989, has become a Palm Beach County staple.
“What keeps Old Key Lime House thriving after more than a century of service isn’t trendiness but the consistently good time, good food, good service, and great vibe patrons can expect to find here. Tables have a time limit of two hours, so you’re probably going to leave wanting more, but that’s as good an excuse as any to return.”
What did Southern Living write about the Old Key Lime House?
“The restaurant is open daily and has a regular rotation of live music, with bands and musicians typically starting on Wednesdays and playing through the weekend; expect a fun-loving crowd, good times, cold drinks, and the kind of laidback vibe that makes Florida the irresistibly sunny state that it is. “
Southern Living highlights the waterfront restaurant’s aesthetics, noting it is filled to the “brim with archival images, family photos, art, historic records, memorabilia, and funky decor.”
They also note that it is accessible by water, with boat slips that make it easy to pull in directly from the Intracoastal for lunch or dinner. That is, if you can get in, they share that a table or seat at the bar is almost always in high demand.
What are the most popular dishes at Old Key Lime House?
Southern Living says the menu leans into staples such as fish sandwiches, coconut shrimp, salads, and plenty of seafood. However, it’s the dessert that steals the show.
“The restaurant’s namesake key lime pie is legendary, striking that perfect balance between tart and creamy, with a heaping layer of fresh whipped cream and a thick cinnamon-infused graham-cracker crust I could eat all on its own.”
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.